Antique Persian Afshar Tribal Rug 5'x 7'9"

RUG Curator

$ 2,85000$ 2,850.00

Quantity
Only 1 left!

Nice Turn of the century Persian Afshar! Look at all the borders! This rug has a very nice composition and has a nice, healthy, low even pile. For centuries, the Afshar nomads were the preeminent Persian tribal group, populating numerous regions within their country’s borders. By the twentieth century, however, their ranks had been diminished to an area in the southeast corner of Iran. Although historians dispute their exact origins, they do agree that their Turkish dialect points to either Azerbaijan or East Turkey. Another interesting fact is the striking similarity to antique rugs woven in the Caucasian villafe of Chajli in the Shirvan district (part of Russian Azerbaijan). Despite the decline of the tribe’s stature, antique Afshar carpets uphold their once great legacy. Nineteenth-century Afshar rugs and carpets are renown for their consistently high quality of materials and craftsmanship, along with a unique aesthetic. Three of their most prolific designs include simple diagonal rows of Botehs' (experts believe that Afshar weavers may have been the first to use “boteh” in carpet weaving), the classic “center and corner piece” antique carpet design, and a vertical axis of three stepped medallions. Their most intriguing design is the Dragon and Phoenix, a rarely seen, highly abstracted version of an ancient motif dating back over 5000 years to China. Other designs include the lattice or “Tulip” design, prayer rugs, “Tree of Life”, and rows of repeating shield medallions. Most designs belie their heritage: Caucasian designs with a South Persian flare! 5'x 7'9"